PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the increased initial rating for PTSD, and as a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD and secondary cervical spine disability are granted as service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical records regarding the Veteran's PTSD diagnosis. The Veteran is requested to undergo a VA examination with a VA psychologist/psychiatrist to determine whether he has a diagnosis of PTSD and its likely etiology, as well as his adjustment disorder with depressed mood.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is denied as the evidence does not establish that OSA was incurred or aggravated by active service. The Board finds no causal relationship between OSA and a service-connected disorder.,Service connection for hemorrhoids has also been denied, with the Board noting there is insufficient evidence to link the condition directly to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, finding that there was no diagnosis of PTSD and insufficient evidence to link any diagnosed conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, a skin disability, and type II diabetes mellitus. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's lower back condition and PTSD claim are remanded for further development, including new VA examinations to assess the severity of his disabilities and determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional information and documents related to the Veteran's PTSD claim, including a copy of the VA examiner's curriculum vitae.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, cervical spine disorder, cephalgia, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's paresthesias of the right and left sciatic nerves are rated at a minimum 20 percent.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, are found to have been incurred during service.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially granted in October 2008, and a 100% rating was granted effective June 26, 2015. The Board denied an earlier effective date for the initial grant of service connection and denied a higher rating prior to June 26, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened, and it is now granted. Other claims were denied or remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a permanent and total disability rating for PTSD and a back disability, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for such ratings.

The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder have been granted an initial rating of 70 percent, effective as of January 1, 2011. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability has also been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD with anxiety and depression is etiologically linked to in-service stressors, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for PTSD. The remaining issues of service connection for hypertension, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, chronic sinusitis, and acne are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of increased evaluations for PTSD and IHD, as well as the TDIU claim due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs a new VA examination for both conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 100 percent is not warranted due to lack of total social impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an increased rating for chronic lumbar strain, as well as his claim for TDIU due to a lack of adequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of his psychiatric conditions and spine condition. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30%, and the Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional VA treatment records that may affect this rating.